2012-2013/1.1 - Kentucky High School Speech League

KHSSL Handbook 77 2012-2013/1.1DR. GIFFORD BLYTONSince 1948, the year Dr. Gifford Blyton was employed to start an intercollegiate debating team at theUniversity of Kentucky, his name has become synonymous with forensics in Kentucky. Hired to bring topscholars to U.K., Dr. Blyton did just that. In the twenty years that he coached the debating team, hisstudents won over 700 championship trophies, including several national championships. Dr.Blyton taught and coached some of the most outstanding legal scholars in our nation, includingformer Washington D.C. Bar Association president George Shadoan and former Clemson Universitypresident Dr. C.W. "Deno" Curris. One of his former students, Rodney Page, still holds the record forthe highest score ever earned on the LSAT (Law School Admission Test).Some of Dr. Blyton's proudest accomplishments include co-authoring the 1954 Tau Kappa Alpha bestsellingdebate text Principles of Argumentation and Debate, being named president of the American ForensicAssociation, and organizing the first integrated debate in the nation between the University of Kentuckyand Kentucky State University. This historic debate made headlines nationwide and came two yearsbefore the Supreme Court's decision in Brown vs. Board of Education.Well known for his ability to generate support and enthusiasm for forensics, Dr. Blyton retired from U.K.in 1975 to become the director of the Kentucky High School Speech League, Inc. As director, he wasinstrumental in rebuilding high school debate. Under his leadership, the League flourished. Dr. Blyton'sintegrity, love for forensics, and keen business sense helped to make KHSSL one of the strongest forensicorganizations in the United States.Dr. Blyton's love for KHSSL has not diminished since his retirement. In addition to the Blyton BookAwards which are presented annually to an outstanding Junior and Senior Division student, the BlytonScholarship Fund which he initiated enables outstanding seniors at KHSSL schools to attend college. Dr.Blyton's many years of service to forensics in Kentucky, as well as the nation, are immeasurable. For overfive decades, Dr. Gifford Blyton has been a beacon of leadership for thousands of forensic students andteachers.